India-Maldives Row: EaseMyTrip Suspends Flight Bookings For The Island Nation
In response to the contentious statements made by three Maldivian ministers targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, domestic travel company EaseMyTrip has chosen to suspend bookings for the island nation, emphasizing that ‘nationalism’ takes precedence over any ‘personal interest’.
In an interaction with co-founder of EaseMyTrip, Prashant Pitti said, “…Our company EaseMyTrip is entirely homegrown and made in India. Amid the row over Maldives MP’s post on PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, we have decided that we will not accept any bookings for Maldives…We want Ayodhya and Lakshadweep to turn out as international destinations.”
Social media witnessed a heated dispute last week as a minister and several other leaders in the Maldives employed derogatory language against PM Modi. This occurred in response to a video he posted featuring himself on a beach in Lakshadweep.
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Mariyam Shiuna’s post, now removed, showcased images of PM Modi during his recent visit to Lakshadweep. The Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts labeled the Indian prime minister as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel.’
Significantly, the Maldives government has chosen to dismiss the three ministers—Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid—from their positions. A spokesperson for the Maldives government stated to local media, “All government officials involved in the remarks have been promptly suspended from their posts, effective immediately.”